Look box



July 30, 1929; 1 FULTON 1,722,740

LOOK BOX Filed Sept. 22, 1927 IN VEN TOR.

A ATTORNEY Patented July 30, 1929.

UNITED STATEfi LUTHER D. FULTON, OF TIT'USVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OE ONE-HALF TO HAROLD S. BELL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

LOOK BOX.

Application filed September 22, 1927. Serial No. 221,385.

This invention relates to look boxes and has for its object to provide an improved construction wherein observations of distillates may be made and test samples withdrawn in a more effective and simple manner than in the standard form of look box now on the market.

A form of look box in common use consists generally of a casting with inlet and outlet connections at right angles and with windows so set into the sides that the stream may be observed. Various methods of obtaining samples prevail. With some patterns it is necessary to open a hand hole 1 and insert a vessel under the stream. Sometimes a tap in the pipe is used. Such boxes are very generally used in oil distillation wherein frequent inspection of the color and consistency of a distillate is necessary, and

wherein samples for test are to be taken. I have found this conventional type of look box objectionable because of not furnishing a clear view of the stream of distillate and also because of the difficulty of obtaining'a uniform sample.

According to this invention, a look box is provided wherein a distillate from a tower still dephlegmator or the like first flows into a small weir and over an overhanging wall, which is preferably provided with a depressed protruding lip so that the liquid drops in a free stream vertically between the inspection windows. The interposition of such a weir from which the stream to-be examined drops, provides several advantages. One is that. test samples of better uniformity can be drawn from the weir than from below the windows; the stream itself is freer and more uniform by reason of flowing over this kind of a weir between the windows instead of directly from the pipe; and the bottom of the weir may be provided with a bleeder passage or passages to'enable water or solid matter to discharge from the weir without accumulating therein and hence contaminating the stream to be inspected.

In the accompanying drawings,

Fig. 1 is a horizontal section seen from above, showing a preferred form of the invention; and

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view.

The device comprises generally an angular pipe casting 1 having an inlet flange 2 for connection to a source of distillate and an outlet flange 3 for connection to a discharge line such as to a tank. The sides of the casting intermediate the flanges 2 and 3 are somewhat flattened to receive windows 4 which are held in the usual manner by flanges 5 and bolts 6, and made gas and liquid tight by gaskets 7. The inlet side of the casting is formed as at 8 to provide the weir wall 9 having the discharge lip 10 overhanging the discharge end'sufficiently so that the stream falling from the lip will pass substantially centrally of the windows 4, and hence give ample facility for observation. The wall 9 is an overhanging one and the lip 10 is depressed and protruding so that the liquid will fall therefrom clear of the wall in a free stream between the laterally disposed windows 4. The weir is also provided with plugs 11 at. each side at nearly the top thereof from which samples may be drawn ofl. The apertures 12 are bleeder passages formed at the bottom of the weir which permit a gradual discharge of distillate and thereby carrying off water which would otherwise tend to accumulate in the bottom of the weir.

13 is a cover which can be removed for inspection by loosening hand screw 14.

By the foregoing construction a look box is provided which permits the liquid so to pass the windows that its color can be readily perceived, enables test samples of better uniformity to be taken OE and dischar es water and sediment from the liquid in sue a manner that they do not become mixed with the discharge to adversely aflect its color.

7 Various modifications and changes may be made in the specific construction described without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a look box, an inlet, an overflow weir having a discharge lip, a restricted bottom discharge for the weir, a window for inspecting the stream discharged from the weir, and an outlet leading to a discharge line.

2. In a look box, an inlet, an overflow weir, a window disposed below the weir, means for drawing samples from the Weir, a restricted bottom outlet from the Weir, and an outlet outlet beyond the Weir, said Weir having a below the Windows leading to a discharge restricted bottom discharge. 1ine. Signed at Oil City, in the county of Ve- 1 3. In a 100k box, an inlet, a Weir having a nango and State of Pennsylvania, this 7th 5 depressed protruding lip over Which the day of Sept, A. D. 1927.

liquid flows in a free stream, inspection means disposed laterally of the stream, an LUTHER D. FULTON.- 

